Stackable label and a stack thereof



Oct. 19, 1965 F. WHITE STACKABLE LABEL AND A STACK THEREOF Filed 001;. 31, 1962 FREDERICK WHITE United States Patent Ofiice Federated Oct. 19, 1965 3,212,634 STACKABLE LABEL AND A STAEK THEREOF Frederick White, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., :1 corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 234,428 9 Claims. (Cl. 20665) This invention relates to an improved label and to a method for high speed automatic dispensing of the same for attachment to bottles and the like.

It is conventional practice in the labelling of bottled beverages such as liquors and beers to provide a combination label and covering shaped normally as a cone and termed a rolled label whereby a pleasing decorative effect is obtained when the label is fitted over the bottle neck.

Since most bottling operations are automated it becomes necessary to fit the labels to the bottles by automatic means which frequently takes the form of a releasable support for a stack of rolled labels or stick, as it is referred to, and some means of releasing the labels one at a time. One form of label release employs a claw to grip the exposed edge of a label and pull it from the stick.

A problem often encountered in using this method is the tearing of the label material in the area of the claw during dispensing. Several factors contribute towards this phenomenon among which is the inertia of the label and the speed with which it is dispensed. Further, since the labels are normally nested in close relationship one Within the other sudden withdrawal of a label tends to create a vacuum between it and an adjacent label which further resists movement and therefore increases the load imposed by the claw on the label material.

It is also conventional practice to provide an adhesive coating to the inside of the label which will become active upon contact with the provided Wet surface of the bottle. It will be appreciated that while stacked and before being activated by the wet surface of the bottle the adhesive coating induces a certain amount of stiction between adjacent labels, a fact which tends to increase the possibility of tearing and malfunction of the dispensing operation.

Several attempts have been made to obviate the above problems, one of which is the provision of spacing means in the form of molded or inserted portions set within the label form in order to increase the spacing between nested labels. An obvious disadvantage with such a method is, of course, the increased cost as Well as the disadvantage of unsightly appearance and possible poor fitting of the label about the bottle neck.

Other methods employed include a means of folding or pleating the sides of the rolled label in order to lessen stiction and the effect of the vacuum. While such methods do achieve some success they engender a further disadvantage of poor fitting of the label with attendant loss of consumer appeal.

Accordingly, it is the main object of the present invention to provide a rolled label permitting faster and more reliable automatic dispensing of the same from a stack of such labels.

It is another object of the invention to provide a rolled label adapted to be stacked in discrete form, thus providing an easily separable stick of labels.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a rolled label which upon being stacked in plurality may be spaced one from the other at a predetermined distance to achieve enhanced dispensing characteristics of the stack.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a rolled label with means therein to retard the formation of a vacuum normally occurring upon sudden separation of nested labels.

It is another object of this invention to provide a rolled label having spacing means therein to reduce the area of contacting surfaces while nested whereby friction is reduced particularly when the surfaces are gummed.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a rolled label which may be adapted to provide spacing means for labels made from a variety of materials having a wide range of tearing strengths.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a rolled label having spacing means innocuously formed on the label which will not detract from the function and appearance of the label when such is installed upon a bottle or the like.

The present invention seeks to accomplish these and other objects and features which will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which like characters refer to like parts by the provision of spacing means formed on a portion of the label, whereby upon stacking adjacent labels are held in spaced apart relationship to allow separation thereof.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment illustrating a typical rolled label with spacing means thereon according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view along the line 22 in FIGURE 1 and also illustrating a number of labels stacked in nested relationship in a stick;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective of a further embodiment,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a further embodiment, and,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective of a further embodiment.

With reference to FIGURE 1 a rolled label indicated generally as 11 is illustrated and comprises skirt 12 formed by rolling sheet material into a frusto-conical configuration. A seam 13 is provided along one side to fasten the ends of the sheet, normally by gumming. The upper end portion of skirt 12 designated generally as 15, is provided with gores 14 folded around peripheral edge 16 to form, with a top 17 gummed thereto, a horizontal closure for the label. This is a common method of forming rolled labels and a description is given here merely to better illustrate the present method of providing spacing means for such labels.

While a rolled label of frusto-conical configuration is illustrated it will be understood that the label may have other forms, such as having a rectangular or polygonal cross-seciton, the blank from which the skirt is formed having a predetermined shape to give the desired label form. It will be further understood that although a label having a closed end is illustrated, gores 14 and top 17 may be dispensed with, skirt 12 thus forming a rolled label with two open ends. In this preferred embodiment lower peripheral edge 18 of skirt 12 is provided with dependent tag 19 of semi-circular configuration which may, for example bear the lower portion of a decorative crest or medallion 20 such as is used in the trade.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 2 the spacing means of the invention comprise the semi-circular slits 21 formed through the material of skirt 12 adjacent the lower edge 18 thereof in registration with and substantially concentric with tag 19. Slits 21 in this preferred embodiment define part of the upper outline of crest 20 and in this way are to a large extent concealed from view once the label 11 is applied to a bottle (not shown). While slits 21 are concentric with tag 19 they do not constitute a full half-circle, a marginal portion 22 of skirt 12 remaining uncut at edge 18 thereof. The cutting operation forming slits 21 preferably causes a semi-circular tongue portion 23 to be at least partially deflected outwardly, causing corresponding inward deflection of tag 19. When formed into a stack, labels 11 are separated by interleaving of tags 19 with tongues 23, slits 21 being insufficient to permit tags 19 to pass therethrough thus maintaining adjacent labels 11 apart from one another. In addition to more separation however, such interlocking also achieves alignment of labels 11 with one another thereby ensuring registration of labels 11 with bottles (not shown) in a predetermined orientation when this is desirable.

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate alternative embodiments which may be used where, for example, tags 19 are not available or are unsuitable or where additional support is required. In these embodiments a tongue 24 (or in the case of FIGURE 4 three tongues 24) is struck out of skirt 12 of label 11 by slit 25 of semi-circular, or other suitable configuration and tongues 24 are deflected outwardly to interlock and engage with peripheral edge 18 of an upper adjacent label 11. Labels 11 are thus separated by engagement of edges 18 with the root of tongue 24 of the next adjacent lower label 11 in the stack and, where three tongues 24 are used increased strength and stability is provided.

In all cases pinhole 26 maybe provided in top 17 to further avoid the formation of a vacuum within labels 11 in operation.

Upon rapid individual dispensing of the labels 11 it will be seen that during sudden separation of the labels air may enter through spaces 27 between skirts 12 or through the pin holes 26 to retard the formation of a vacuum between adjacent labels. Thus resistance to movement of an individual label during rapid dispensing is obviated by reducing stiction and alleviating the problem of vacuum formation.

Perforations 28 are provided in registration with the neck of the bottle (not shown) to facilitate removal of the cap without removal of the label which remains thereon for decorative and identification purposes.

Upon application of a label 11 to a bottle tongue 23 (or 24) will become flattened against the side thereof and Will adhere thereto, merging with the surrounding skirt 12. Similarly tag 19 will become fiattened and adhered to the bottle thus displaying crest 20 as desired.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGURE wherein.

slit 29 is formed along an arcuate path parallel to and concentric with peripheral edge 18. Material of skirt 12 above slit 29, indicated generally by reference 30, is deflect-ed inwardly to provide a bearing surface 31 in the interior of skirt 12 directed downwardly for interengagement by and with an adjacent lower label 11 in the stack (not shown).

By the practice of the invention mutilation or deformation of the labels is thus minimised while ensuring proper separation when stacked to permit free, rapid feeding under operating conditions.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the invention comprises a method of separating individual labels nested in a stack by providing at least one spacer on each label which is adapted to engage an adjacent label and provide spacing therebetween.

While embodiments of this invention have been described it will be understood that various alterations in design may be resorted to with-out departing from the spirit of the invention and while still falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A label blank for the manufacture of a rolled label for automatic high speed dispensing from a stack thereof comprising: a sheet of folda ble material having an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges, said upper and lower edges being arcs of concentric circles and projections of said side edges intersecting at a point above said upper edge to permit said sheet to be formed into a frustoconical configuration; at least one U-shaped slit in the body of said sheet formed adjacent said lower edge of said sheet, a portion of said material defined by said slit and adjacent thereto being deformed out of the plane of said sheet to provide an unstretched tongue that will overlap the side of another label inserted in said slit and project toward the upper edge thereof.

2. A rolled label for dispensing at high speed from a nested stack of such labels and subsequent attachment to bottles and the like comprising: a blank of foldable material rolled to form a frusto-conical skirt portion of said label; at least one U-shaped unstretched tongue on said skirt portion providing an outwardly directed bearing portion and projecting toward the upper end of said label, said bearing portion obstructing the exterior of said rolled label and limiting insertion thereof into an adjacent said label whereby said tongue will overlap the side of the other label being received between said tongue and said side of said first-named label.

3. A rolled label for automatic dispensing at high speed from a nested stack of such labels and subsequent attachment to bottles and the like comprising: a blank of foldable material rolled to form a skirt body having upper and lower end portions and defining a hollow frusto-conical label; at least one U-shaped slit formed in said skirt adjacent said lower end portion and, a portion of said skirt body defined by said slit and adjacent thereto being deformed outwardly to provide a bearing surface projecting from said hollow label to limit insertion thereof into an adjacent said label, said deformed ortion providing an unstretched tongue that will overlap the side of said adjacent label being received in said slit and that will project toward the upper end portion thereof.

4. A rolled label for automatic dispensing at high speed from a nested stack of such labels and subsequent attachment to bottles and the like comprising: a blank of foldable material rolled to form a skirt body having upper and lower end portions and defining a hollow frustoconical label; at least one slit formed in said skirt adjacent said lower end portion; a portion of said skirt body defined by said slit and adjacent thereto being deformed outwardly to provide a bearing surface projecting from said hollow label to limit insertion thereof into an adjacent said label, and, at least one tag integral with said skirt and depending therefrom to fit at least partially within said slit in interlocking engagement therewith of an adjacent label.

5. A rolled label for dispensing at high speed from a nested stack of such labels and subsequent attachment to bottles and the like comprising: a skirt body of generally tapered configuration defining a hollow label with upper and lower end portions; said upper end portion including a top closure; three U-shaped slits formed in said skirt body adjacent said lower end portion thereof spaced at approximately from one another about a periphery of said skirt body, and three unstretched tongues projecting toward said upper end and from said hollow defined by said label formed by deforming a portion of the skirt body adjacent each said slit and intermediate each said slit and said lower end portion to provide obstructions on said label to limit insertion thereof into an adjacent said label whereby said tongues overlap the side of said adjacent label.

6. A supply of rolled labels for use in the high speed automatic dispensing of the same for attachment to bottles and the like comprising: a series of skirt bodies of generally tapered configuration defining a hollow frusto-conical label with upper and lower end portions nested to form a stack of labels; at least one U-shaped slit formed in each said skirt body adjacent the lower end portion thereof; and an unstretched tongue projecting toward said upper end and from the hollow exterior defined by each said label, said tongue being formed by deforming a portion of the skirt body adjacent the slit and intermediate said lower end portion and said slit to provide an obstruction on each said label in engegement with the lower end portion of an adjacent label to limit nesting thereof whereby said obstruction overlaps the side of said adjacent label received in said slit.

7. A supply of rolled labels for use in the high speed automatic dispensing of the same for attachment to bottles and the like comprising: a series of skirt bodies of generally tapered configuration defining a hollow frustoconical label with upper and lower end portions nested to form a stack of labels; at least one slit formed in each said skirt body adjacent the lower end portion thereof, and, at least one tag integral with said skirt and depending therefrom fitting at least partially within said slit in interlocking engagement therewith with an adjacent label.

8. A rolled label for automatic dispensing at high speed from a nested stack of such labels and subsequent attachment to bottles and the like comprising: a blank of foldable material rolled to form a skirt body having upper and lower end portions and defining a hollow frustoconical label; at least one U-shaped slit formed in said skirt adjacent said lower end portion; a tongue portion of said skirt body defined by said slit and adjacent thereto being deformed outwardly to provide a bearing surface projecting from said hollow label to limit insertion thereof into an adjacent said label, said tongue portion projecting toward said upper end portion of said label, and, at least one tag integral with said skirt and depending therefrom to fit at least partially within said slit in interlocking engagement therewith of an adjacent label, said tag being aligned with said tongue portion.

9. A supply of rolled labels for use in the high speed automatic dispensing of the same for attachment to bottles and the like comprising: a series of skirt bodies of generally tapered configuration defining hollow frusto-conical label with upper and lower end portions nested to form a stack of labels; at least one U-shaped slit formed in each skirt body adjacent the lower end portion thereof to define a tongue portion of said skirt body projecting toward said upper end thereof, and, at least one tag integral with said skirt and depending therefrom fitting at least partially within said slit in interlocking engagement therewith with an adjacent label, each tag being aligned with its respective tongue portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,670,076 2/54 Monks 20665 FOREIGN PATENTS 625,970 7/49 Great Britain.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. JEROME SCHNALL, Examiner. 

2. A ROLLED LABEL FOR DISPENSING A HIGH SPEED FROM A NESTED STACK OF SUCH LABELS AND SUBSEQUENT ATTACHMENT TO BOTTLES AND THE LIKE COMPRISING: A BLANK OF FOLDABLE MATERIAL ROLLED TO FORM A FRUSTO-CONICAL SKIRT PORTION OF SAID LABEL; AT LEAST ONE U-SHAPED UNSTRETCHED TONGUE ON SAID SKIRT PORTION PROVIDING AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTED BEARING PORTION AND PROJECTING TOWARD THE UPPER END OF SAID LABEL, SAID BEARING PORTION OBSTRUCTING THE EXTERIOR OF SAID ROLLED LABEL AND LIMITING INSERTION THEREOF INTO AN ADJACENT SAID LABEL WHEREBY SAID TONGUE WILL OVERLAP THE SIDE OF THE OTHER LABEL BEING RECEIVED BETWEEN SAID TONGUE AND SAID SIDE OF SAID FIRST-NAMED LABEL. 